Retraction system and method

Abstract

Some implementations can include a retraction system that provides broad based retraction for minimally invasive procedures (e.g., laparoscopic or robot-assisted) similar to that achieved by fixed retractors often used in open surgery. The retraction system can hold viscera out of the pelvis, for example. Some implementations can include a first instrument, a first locking trocar, a second instrument, and a second locking trocar. The first instrument can include an articulated first device having a mesh net. The first device is capable of unfurling the mesh net and winding the net back up into the first device. The second instrument can include a second device that articulates and engages an edge of the mesh net. The second device can engage the mesh net and assist in unfurling the mesh net by pulling the mesh net so that the mesh net unwinds from the first device and can be used to retract the viscera.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A retraction system comprising:
 a first instrument including a shaft having one or more locking holes, a first instrument position locking mechanism configured to engage one or more of the locking holes, an articulation control knob to control articulation of an articulated end of the first instrument, a net control knob to control the deployment and retrieval of a net that is configured to be stored within the first instrument and deployed and retrieved in response to control input from the net control knob; and   a second instrument including one or more locking holes in a shaft of the second instrument, a second instrument position locking mechanism configured to engage one or more of the locking holes, an articulation control knob to control articulation of an articulated end of the second instrument, wherein the articulated end of the second instrument is configured to engage an end of the net and to removably attach to the end of the net.